Everything you need to know about changes to University Admissions Tests in 2024

Why are these admissions tests being discontinued? 

The reasoning behind these changes given by Cambridge Admissions Assessment Testing is as follows: “The bespoke tests are operationally unsustainable over the medium term, given their significant complexity and the need to deliver them affordably to students and higher education institutions”.  

This appears to fit the current trend of a focus on sustainable delivery in Higher Education admissions. Similar reasoning was given earlier in 2022 when it was announced that both Oxford and Cambridge admissions interviews would be conducted online for the foreseeable. 

How will applicants in 2024 (for 2025 entry) be affected?

• You may potentially be sitting new tests in 2024. These are likely to come with guidance and exemplars but few, if any past papers.

• For those applying to Natural Sciences, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, you will be sitting the ESAT.

• Both the ESAT and TMUA will be a computer-based assessment sat at a Pearson VUE Center. To find out more, click here!

• While there will be less practice material for the ESAT, prospective candidates could still practice using the old-style past papers in the meantime, as Admissions Tutors will still be looking for the same fundamental criteria for these courses.  

Will they be replaced with alternative tests? 

The ENGAA and NSAT have been replaced by the ESAT. This will apply to Natural Sciences, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at Cambridge. 

Cambridge and Oxford have announced that the BMAT will be replaced with the UCAT.

Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) 

• The ESAT is made up of individual multiple-choice assessments, with Mathematics 1 being compulsory for all candidates.

• In most cases, candidates will be required to complete two additional assessments from the following:

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

  • Mathematics 2

• The ESAT will be a computer-based assessment at a Pearson VUE test centre.

• Each of the individual multiple-choice assessments last 40 minutes each.

• Assessments are sat back-to-back on the day of the test.

• Most candidates will take 3 assessments, lasting 120 minutes (2 hours) in total.

• The ESAT will also be used for applicants to Imperial College.

• The assessments dates are: 15-16 October 2024 (Cambridge applicants must take the test in this sitting) and 7-8 January 2025. 

Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA) 

• Applications of Mathematical Knowledge assesses an applicant’s ability to apply their knowledge of mathematics in new situations. 

• Mathematical Reasoning assesses their ability to deal with mathematical reasoning, and simple ideas from elementary logic.

• The TMUA lasts 2 hours 30 minutes in total. The two separately timed subsets (75 minutes each) are in a multiple-choice format, delivered by computer-based assessment in a Pearson VUE test centre.

• The TMUA will also be used for applicants to Warwick (optional), Durham (optional), LSE (required for 2 courses, optional for others), and Imperial College.

• The assessments dates are: 16-17 October 2024 (Cambridge applicants must take the test in this sitting) and 8-9 January 2025. 

How do you book at test?

• Tests are taken at a local Pearson VUE test centre, rather than schools or college. 

• Students self-register for the test via the Pearson Vue website.

• Tests cost £75 when taken in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Outside of the UK, they cost £130. 

How will applicants in 2024 (for 2025 entry) be affected?

At this stage, Oxford have not announced that anything will replace the GAT or the ELAT.

All students applying to Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Oxford will be affected by these changes. Oxford has confirmed that the UCAT will replace the BMAT for students applying to Medicine. 

The following new tests have been announced:

• BMSAT (Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test) — for applicants to Biomedical Sciences only

• AHCAAT (Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Test)

The MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) has changed in format to 25 multiple choice questions and 2 written (typed) questions, completed online.

The PAT (Physics Admissions Test) has changed in format to 40 multiple choice questions, completed online.

No changes to the CAT (Classics Admissions Test),  HAT (History Aptitude Test), LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law),  MLAT (Modern Languages Admissions Test), PhilAT (for applicants to Philosophy and Theology only), or TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) have been announced to date.